On December 3, 2009, Dr. James Fowler will speak about “Social Networks and How They Affect Our Health” as part of the UCSD Biomedical Library lunchtime seminar series.

Dr. Fowler and Dr. Nicholas Christakis have done extensive research on the multitude of ways that our social networks shape our lives – not online networks such as facebook but face-to-face relationships. In this talk, he will specifically address health issues such as obesity, smoking, drinking, and affective states. He will also discuss the book that he and Christakis recently published, Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives.

Dr. Fowler is an Associate Professor in the UCSD Center for Wireless and Population Health Systems at CALIT2 and the Political Science Department. Dr. Fowler’s work lies at the intersection of the natural and social sciences. His current interests include social networks, behavioral economics, evolutionary game theory, political participation, cooperation, and genopolitics (the study of the genetic basis of political behavior). For more information about Dr. Fowler, visit his website at http://jhfowler.ucsd.edu

Dr. Fowler’s talk will start at 12 noon in the Biomedical Library Events Room, and the UCSD Bookstore will be on hand at 1 pm to sell copies of Connected – which he will then sign. You may also bring your own copy of the book to be signed.

Space is limited so RSVP as soon as possible to Vicky Anderson at vkanderson@ucsd.edu in order to reserve a seat. Feel free to bring a discreet lunch; cookies and water will be provided.